2012-06-05

Fuerzas Comando 2012 Begins in Colombia

Competitors from various countries practice taking aim at the shooting range in Tolemaida Military Fort, Colombia, prior to the beginning of Fuerzas Comando 2012, which runs from June 6 - 14, 2012. (Photo: U.S. Army)

Sandra Marina/Diálogo

Fuerzas Comando 2012, the Anti-Terrorism Military Olympiad, will begin on June 6 at the Tolemaida Military Fort in Colombia, where participants from 21 Western-Hemisphere countries will meet.

Sponsored by the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, the event is an athletic military exercise which seeks to strengthen relationships among the members of the Armed Forces of the Americas, as well as to share skills, techniques, and tactics in the fight against terrorism.

In the days leading to the event, competitors from each country became familiarized with the weaponry they will use during the shooting competitions, as well as continued training for the rowing competitions, among other activities.

This year, Fuerzas Comando will have its first female participant, a marine lieutenant from Mexico.

Teams from the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, the United States, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, the Dominican Republic, Surinam, and Trinidad and Tobago will participate in the ninth edition of the event, which runs through June 14.

Colombia, who won four of the last eight editions of the event (2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007), is this year’s host country and is also considered one of the strongest opponents.

During Fuerzas Comando 2012, Dialogo-Americas.com and FuerzasComando.com will have the most updated information on the competition results.

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1 Comment

Humberto Vasquez Gomez| 2012-11-26

I think that events like this should take place more often. Armed forces must be ready for any kind of terrorist events, kidnappings, drug cartel wars just to mention a few. If they do not know how to respond to this type of criminals, the persons involved are more likely to die, but instead, with this type of training, armed forces and security forces have more chances to rescue the people involved. Good job you guys, and be ready for any event.- I was Second Sergeant in the Salvadorean army from 1963 to 1968. Back in for the 100 hrs. War in 1969.- Second Sergeant Humberto Vasquez Gomez.